The Renaissance Begins ~ Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020

Chapter 17 Section 1: 

Reading Guide: 

In Italy, thriving urban centers, a wealthy merchant class, and the classical heritage

Greece and Rome encouraged the development of new ideas and values.

1. How did humanism influence the growth of learning?

Humanists influenced artists to carry on classical traditions and popularized the studies common to classical education

2. How did ideas about piety and a simple life change?

Although people remained devoutly catholic, the spirit of society was secular. Church leaders and the wealthy believed they could enjoy life without offending God.

3. What role did patrons of the arts play in the development of Renaissance ideas?

they spent money to help artists and architects create works of genius.

Styles in art and literature changed as artists and writers emphasized the individual.

4. What effects did the emphasis on individuals have on painters and sculptors?

They painted portraits of prominent citizens, showing what was distinctive about each; they glorified the human body in natural postures; they developed perspective to enhance realism

5. How did writers reflect Renaissance values in their work?

they wrote in the vernacular; they wrote either for self-expression or to portray the individuality of their subjects.

6. How did the writing of Petrarch, Boccaccio, and Machiavelli demonstrate the values of humanism?

Petrarch wrote sonnets about Laura, an ideal woman; Boccaccio wrote about the follies of his characters in the Decameron, and Machiavelli wrote about the imperfect conduct of humans in the prince.

Terms and Names:

Renaissance - the rebirth of art and learning that began in northern Italy around 1300

humanism - an outlook focusing on human potential and achievements

secular - denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis.

patron - a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, cause, or activity.

perspective - an artistic technique that indicates three dimensions

vernacular - the native language, rather than classical Latin

Using your Notes:

2. Discuss which of Italy’s advantages was most important for creating the Renaissance. Why?

The thriving cities were most important because they made profits & many diverse cultures

Main Ideas:

3. What are some of the characteristics of the “Renaissance man” and “Renaissance woman”?

Man: master in every area of study ("universal man") should be charming, witty, and well educated in the classics, should dance, sing, play music, write poetry, a skilled rider, wrestler, and swordsman
Woman: know the classics, be charming, not expected to seek fame, little influence in politics, inspired art-didn't create it

4. How did Italy’s cities help to make it the birthplace of the Renaissance?

Was in route to Holy Land (Crusades traveled through); north more Urban while rest of Europe was mostly rural; overseas trade led to the growth of large city-states; cities-places where people exchange ideas (ideal breeding ground for an intellectual revolution)

5. What were the attitude of Church leaders and the wealthy toward the arts? Why?

They supported the arts-became patrons, financially supported artists; had portraits donated to the city which demonstrated their own importance